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Council signals support for 'up to three million' gallons/day regional sewer capacity plan
Summary
Council members told Water and Sewer Authority representatives they are comfortable with a preliminary regional capacity ask of up to 3 million gallons per day to meet forecast growth, after staff presented plant expansion plans and financing implications; council emphasized the decision will be revisited once regional partners consolidate numbers.
Representatives from the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabaris County (WASAC) briefed the council on regional wastewater capacity planning and asked for Concord's preliminary position ahead of inter-municipal talks.
Staff reported that the Muddy Creek wastewater treatment plant currently serves the lower half of the county and is rated at about 300,000 gallons per day with roughly 50,000 to 60,000 gallons per day of remaining capacity. Contracts have been let to expand that facility to about 660,000 gallons per day; WASAC already holds a 1 million gallon per day permit. Staff explained that the authority needs municipalities to state a preliminary capacity request so it can combine partners' figures for a borrowing and construction plan.
After discussion about growth-rate assumptions and budget impacts, several council members signaled support for a preliminary position of "up to three" million gallons per day (the working figure discussed during earlier work sessions). Councilmembers discussed trade-offs: borrowing now locks in 25 years of debt service for ratepayers but reduces the risk of facing higher costs if capacity is requested later; rejecting sufficient capacity risks constraining growth and economic development.
Council members also asked staff to continue refining cost estimates, potential rate impacts and options such as development-impact fees. Council did not finalize an irrevocable commitment but provided guidance that staff may present "up to three" as Concord's preliminary ask at the upcoming regional meeting.
Next steps: WASAC will collect municipal preliminary numbers and return with an aggregated order-of-magnitude and final recommendations; the council will have additional opportunities to refine Concord's elected position before debt is issued or construction contracts are executed.
